McCain calls Webb's Iraq bill "blatantly unconstitutional"

Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) submitted a bill that would speed up the redeployment of US troops from Iraq by requiring that all soldiers spend at least as much time at home as oversees.  Republican presidential candidate John McCain calls the resolution unconstitutional:

"Where in the Constitution of the United States does it say that theCongress decides how long people spend on tours of duty and how longthey would spend back in the United States? It's blatantlyunconstitutional," McCain said.

It is the job of Congress to pass laws.  McCain is asking whether Congress has the constitutional right to pass laws that shape the way agencies inside the executive branch are allowed to behave.

Actually, Congress does impact the business within agencies.  Read the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which created the Department of Homeland Security.  The measure completely laid out the duties in that department, which the Congress has a right to control.

Comments

[Ted K.]

NO, McCain is asking why in the world Congress thinks it can RUN wars, when Constitutionally it can fund them or not, but not dictate HOW a war is run.
He is called the Commander in Chief for a reason.

There are not hundreds of Commanders in Chief, it would take forever to decide to attack a target or not.

So in this instance I agree with McCain... now stop wasting everyone's time and $$ John and drop out of the race for Prez.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

That's a stretch, Ted. McCain clearly said, unless the quote was incorrect, "It's blatantly unconstitutional." That means he thinks the Webb amendment is unconstitutional.

And we're not just talking about wars, we are talking about military families that have been put through hell and back. Brave soldiers are being taken advantage of by these outrageously long deployments. Why not give them more time at home with their families? It's destroying the lives of children, whom some of the soldiers now in Iraq have never even met.

It is NOT unconstitutional for Congress to write laws that change how federal agencies operate.

[Chief Editor: Todd]

And also, why should John McCain drop out? Isn't that his decision?

[Ted K.]

YES, that Is McCain's decision, but like Charlie Brown, he is never gonna kick that football.
He has sold out his once conservative ideals (I lived in AZ for quite some time).
But, he is free to waste his time and $$ running, go John go.

If Webb wants to AMMEND the Constitution to say that Congress and Senate has the power to dictate policy during a war, then let him do so.

It is not a stretch at all to say that it is unconstitutional for Congress to run a war.
Again, that Constitution thingy gets in the way.
Congress controls funding for war, so go ahead and step up to the plate Dems, cut the funding for the war..all funding and force the Prez to bring the troops home.

Again, step up and claim defeat, at all costs.

The worst thing for the Dems would be for progress and victory in Iraq.
Your party is invested in losing and if a General issues some favorable reports, ramp up the spin machine and start "suspending your disbeliefs."